Photo by myself in Bay Ridge Brooklyn, on Fifth Avenue around 76th Street.
A black and white photograph shows how timeless this neighborhood is; the small shops with their canopies, the tree-lined streets and an almost sleepy pace of life.
There are diners next to discount stores, locksmiths next to law offices. Bay Ridge has mainly Italian, Greek, Scandinavian and Irish families. The town is separated from Park Slope by Sunset Park, which is populated by primarily Chinese, Puerto Rican and Dominican families.
Happy Monday, everyone. I wanted to start the week off with a wholesome and comforting image.
Lately Mark and I have become addicted to The Wire, the HBO series about police and narcotics cases, set in Baltimore.
Friends had recommended this show, several friends. There were long, long conversations about how realistic, well-produced and addictive the series was. We were warned that we wouldn't become full addicts until the third episode, had dvds pressed upon us and were waved away.
Mark and I had heard a segment on NPR about The Wire, too, about how many of the actors had once been on the street, lending the show an air of authenticity. The show was conceived by an ex-reporter, based on the experiences of one of his detective friends. 'The Wire' refers to working undercover in the drug world.
As opposed to the formulaic New York-based Law and Order series, it's the characters of The Wire that make the show compelling. You bond with the good guys and the bad guys. Actually, the good guys aren't entirely good, and the bad guys aren't entirely bad. Instead, each side is decidedly flawed, just as they are in reality.
If you have spare time to be riveted to your television, check it out. But be aware, it is highly addictive and refreshingly intense.
For an NPR interview with the series' creator, David Simon, click here.
Related posts: The Formula and Urban Legends
15 comments:
what a great shot. I always think of NYC as the hustle and bustle. It amazes me that there are queit little neighborhoods like this one.
hey Carolyn
well this is Brooklyn, which is generally more laid back than Manhattan, but even on the island there are neighborhoody areas that aren't insane. Thank goodness.
This shot looks as though it was taken 50 years ago. It has a wonderful feel of community to it. I tend to think of NYC as crime and grime.
j'aime bien tes photos de rues en b&w, cela donne un coté nostalgique à NYC.
I like your photos streets in b&w, it gives a nostalgic side to NYC.
Guess I must check out The Wire then... Great picture!
lovely photo...depicting a lovely era.
Good picture. It's so good that it's on the CDP homepage twice! You must be following the old Sinatra song.
Great image. Love it in black and white.
The B&W treatment definitely gives it a timeless quality. If the girl walking down the street had a slightly longer skirt and ankle socks the picture could have been made in the 1950s.
Like you I got addicted to the Wire and am awaiting the release of the 5th season on DVD in August. BTW, if you haven't seen David Simon's previous series: Homicide definitely check it out. It is almost as mesmerizing as the Wire.
I love your black and white photos! They always seem so old. I like it! :o)
Thanks Julie
I guess I'm part of the new PR dept here in NYC. There are definitely quaint areas. Not everything is crime-ridden!
Thanks Olivier
I like b/w too. I think it's easier to shoot for whatever reason.
Hi Fredrik
Love to know what your thoughts are on the The Wire. It's an HBO show, so I'm not sure about availability overseas?
Thanks Ken Mac!
Hi Gail's Man
it's a glitch in the DPB site, I'm somehow registered 2x. Hopefully one of the highly skilled tech people will save the day.
Thanks Jilly!
Hi Clueless
I absolutely adore Homicide. There is a vibe about The Wire which is similar, I think, in terms of the banter between the cops and robbers.
The Wire did not carry over the sometimes choppy dialogue, thankfully, which was kind of mannered on Homicide, sort of like a Mamet film. Great, great series.
Thanks Tammy!
I love the Wire. I can't help but agree with everyone who says it's the best thing on TV. I eagerly await Season 5 on DVD and I think S4 might be my favorite. It's hard to choose, though. The end of S3 just about broke my heart. Enjoy!
Hi Kizz
I can barely get through Season 1. It is so intense!
I find myself savoring the episodes. I love it. There were some amazing episodes of Homicide, but The Wire is altogether a much better show. There is such an intimate link between the good and bad guys.
Thank goodness this crime show isn't about New York. It's about time.
Great photo It feels like we are back in time!lovely!
Thanks so much, Omami!
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